Been a while, hasn't it? Thankfully, my summer vacation has begun, which means more time writing. Anyway, let's get on with the chapter.
The days after the USJ attack were surprisingly not hectic for Izuku. Sure, he had to comfort his crying mother over pushing past his Quirk limit, telling her he was fine, really. Izuku hoped UA wouldn't fine them for any water damages to the infirmary.
Having the rest of the week off as well was a nice change of pace. It allowed Izuku and the rest of his class to decompress after everything. And Izuku needed it because he was conflicted over the whole ordeal.
For a surprise attack on a field trip, it turned out much better than it could have been. Most of the Villains had been captured, none of the students were severely injured, and both Eraser Head and Thirteen were making steady recoveries.
Yet Midoriya thoughts were not as comforting. In his dreams, Izuku's mind played back moments from the event: Kurogiri's wispy form, a Villain charging at him underwater, the Nomu's dead and vicious face, Shigaraki's pale face and outstretched hand, the sound of bone snapping by Izuku's invisible force. All accompanied by the sound of the Artifact that gave Izuku his powers and warned him of the Villains.
Even when Izuku was awake, he would think he heard the ringing of the Artifact, but it was just him making it up. Like earlier stated, Izuku needed time to calm down.
Izuku's first day back was quiet heading to school. Whatever push UA had, they made sure their students wouldn't be hounded by the dogs of the media. By the time class was almost ready to begin, most of them were already in their seats. Students gossiped about who was going to be their substitute homeroom teacher since Aizawa was still recovering.
The familiar slam of the door opening proved them wrong. Who else could have walked in besides Aizawa? Well, any number of teachers, really.
Aizawa strode on in and took his position at his desk. Most of the class stared in confusion. Aizawa still had visible bandages covering his face, and both of his arms were in slings.
"Good, you're learning," Aizawa voice came out muffled. "I didn't have to say anything, and you all became quiet. Progress."
The class looked at each other before Yaoyorozu awkwardly raised her hand.
"Mr. Aizawa, sir, are you sure you should be returning to teaching so soon?"
"Despite Recovery Girl's insistence, I know that I've been in the infirmary too long already. I've been through worse, and this will not stop me from teaching."
Kaminari raised his hand, "Um, mister Aizawa, sir, I don't want to be rude, but both of your arms are literally in slings."
"Irrelevant."
The class stared blankly.
"Now, just because you won this battle doesn't mean that other challenges won't be coming your way. After all, now is the time to start preparing for the Sports Festival."
Izuku snapped at the mention. Nearly every Hero school had their own version of a Sports Festival. And none were more popular or widely viewed as UA's. Ever since the first one was held long ago, the Sports Festival replace the Olympics of old. It was favorite past time when Izuku and his mom watched the Sports Festival every year. The thought of him actually being in it came as a shock.
"Aizawa, sir, is it really a good idea to do the Sport Festival after an attack from those League of Villains guys?" Kaminari asked.
"While we have discussed that possibility, the Festival is very important to your future careers. It's not just fun and games; it will be your opportunity to get yourself noticed by other Pro Heroes for future internships. Like any other job, having connections will be a major help towards your Hero careers."
Aizawa also reassured his students. "We'll have more active on duty Heroes as security than previous years. We'll be taking every precaution to make sure this Festival goes smoothly. With it only being two weeks away, I'd recommend you all start preparing. Or don't. It's your future."
As the day continued, Izuku felt pulled in other directions. The sudden realization of the Sports Festival was coming sooner than expected, the need to improve himself so he can do well in the events, and the events at the USJ made it hard for him to concentrate on school. Still, he wasn't totally blind to the changes. His classmates seemed to be closer, especially those partnered together during the attack.
While on his way to lunch with the rest of the class, Izuku and Iida were stopped by Uraraka, who had a very determined look to her.
"Promise me, we'll do our best at the Sports Festival, got it?" Uraraka said,
"I mean, yeah, I guess," Izuku answered with Iida following up with, "It wouldn't be fair not to."
"Got it?!" Uraraka demanded.
"Yes, ma'am!" Izuku and Iida answered, slightly terrified.
Uraraka nodded before walking away muttering, "Do my best", to herself over and over.
"Well, that was, slightly scary," Izuku remarked.
"Indeed," Iida agreed. "However, her enthusiasm is not unfounded. The Sports Festival is more than just friendly competition and games. It's one of the most important steps to establish oneself in the Pro Hero business."
"When you put it like that, I get it. I just never realized the Sports Festival was that important to our futures."
When the three got their lunch and went over to their table, they were joined by an unexpected fourth person. It was Tsu! She had come over to thank Izuku for saving her back at the USJ. Midoriya, flustered, tried to reason that it's what they are training for: to be heroes. Of course, saving your peers would be natural. However, if Izuku could barely make a coherent response to one response of gratitude, he'd be hopeless when out on the field.
Later, as Uraraka was finishing up on explaining why she wanted to become a Hero (to get rich enough that her struggling parents can go into a cozy and wealthy retirement), the table's peace was interrupted by Bakugo storming in.
"Hey, Deku," Katsuki said in a surprising room volume voice. "Shut up and follow me."
"You don't have to talk to him like that," Uraraka defended Izuku.
"And frankly, most of us find your attitude appalling," Iida added.
"If you have something to say to Midoriya, you can say it in front of all of us," Tsu said.
"I don't care about you extras. This is between me and Deku," Bakugo stated.
Before any of them could retaliate, Izuku decided to speak up for himself.
"Guys, look, I'll go." Izuku stated. "I'll be alright. This isn't how it was back in middle school."
Izuku glanced at Bakugo's eyes, filled with smoldering rage and irritation.
"Hey, if he pulls something, you'll let us know, right?" Uraraka asked.
Izuku gave a shy smile. "I got it."
Bakugo didn't say anything. He grunted and turned around to walk away with Izuku following him. The two passed by a table with Kirishima and two trays. One of them was right next to Bakugo's stuff. The red-haired hardener looked like he wanted to follow but didn't. All he gave Midoryia was a confident thumbs up.
The two travelled to a somewhat secluded part of the cafeteria, where the blonde bomber faced Izuku.
Midoriya sighed. "What's this about, Kacchan?"
"For one, quit using that stupid nickname."
"Only if you quit calling me Deku."
"And second," Bakugo continued, "is that I don't care how you got your Quirk. That doesn't matter to me. What matters is you knowing your place: away from me in the background."
"Is that what all this is, Kacchan?" Izuku asked. "More of the same, only with less explosions?"
Bakugo scoffed. "I don't know what you've been doing the last couple of days, but I've been reading and our whole class is getting talked about. Especially me, Icy-Hot, and Spiky Hair for taking on that All-Might monster freak."
Izuku guessed he was referring to Todoroki and Kirishima helping him take on the Nomu, a thought that didn't sit well with him due to his own experience with the monster.
"And since you're not reading the news like your usual nerd self, you don't know how much people talk about your useless ass."
That was a proverbial smack to the face for Izuku. Not about being useless, but that people were noticing him.
"People are talking about you getting bitch-slapped by that monster and then breaking Hand-Freak's arm, like you're some actual Hero." Bakugo snarled.
Izuku, however, was brought back to his troubling visions: the Nomu poised to strike, the fear in Tsu and Mineta, the hate stemming from Shigaraki while his arm limps, twisted.
"Look at you: you've been moping all day since we came back," Bakugo jolted Izuku out of his thoughts. "All because you broke one Villain's arm. God, I'd hate to see how you'd react if you killed someone."
Horror etched onto Izuku's face as he contemplated the thought.
"Kill…," Izuku stammered. "I would never…I couldn't."
"Exactly," Bakugo stated. "You and the rest of these extras think being a Hero is about that rescue bull or whatever. The truth is that a real Hero takes the Villain head on and stops them from hurting other people. And that means putting Villains down like the scum they are."
"And you, Deku," Bakugo jabbed at the boy's chest. "You don't have what it takes. So, I'm going to tell you what I told the rest of the extras: stay out of my way. There's only room for one Number 1, and that's going to be me."
With that, the blonde made his way back to the cafeteria. Izuku stood in silence, letting Bakugo's words reverberate in his head. To combat this, he shook his head and head back to his table where his friends were sitting.
"Hey, are you okay? Did Bakugo do anything to you?" Uraraka asked.
"No, he just gave me his thoughts," Izuku stated. "Honestly, this was probably the calmest conversation I had with him yet. Usually, there are more explosions."
"Still, I find it disappointing that one of our class members can have such horrible attitude," Iida gave his two cents.
"And that guy still thinks he's going to be number one," Tsu added.
"Well, I think he has a chance at it," Izuku meekly defended his former friend. "His Quirk is really powerful, he's strong, smart, and has the drive to improve himself. He just needs a bit of work."
"He's also an egotistical jerk who literally calls us 'extras' and yells 'DIE' at whoever he's attacking."
"Okay, he needs a lot of work."
"Look, Deku, you don't have to let Bakugo push you or anyone else around." Uraraka said. "We're all here to be Heroes. No one here needs to be treated any less."
"Um, thanks Uraraka," Izuku blushed. However, the topic of Bakugo's attitude towards the telekinetic grew too uncomfortable for him, so he decided to change the topic. "So, uh, you have any plans to train for the Sports Festival?"
Most of them answered some variant of going to a Quirk Gym to train. For Izuku, that wasn't an option. While paying for a membership wasn't out of the Midoryia's payroll, it would cause a strain on the household's finances (And also it would cut into Izuku's merchandise budget, but he didn't want them to know).
"So, what's your plan, Midoryia?" Tsu questioned.
"Oh, I'm thinking about getting one of the UA's teachers to help me with my Quirk," Izuku answered. "I've got some ideas on what to improve. I just need somebody to help."
"Oh, who'd you get?!" Uraraka asked.
"I mean, I didn't ask them yet," Izuku stammered. "But I do have an idea on who I want."
"While I'm grateful for you asking me to train one-on-one for the Sports Festival, I'm still not sure why you asked me specifically?"
Izuku looked up at the man asking the question. They were both in one of UA's many indoor gyms. It was after school, which meant many of his peers were either going home, going to train, or something else. Izuku tried not to stutter as he answered the teacher the boy asked to help him.
Ectoplasm, the Ghostly Hero, and Izuku's math teacher.
"Well, you see," Izuku stammered. "I figured that, with your clones and all, you understand how to control physical objects with your mind, and also given your whole ghostly image, you would have some insight about flying or just floating, and even then, I-"
"Okay, slow down a bit," Ectoplasm motioned Izuku to stop rambling. "First, that's a good idea of how my Quirk works, but that's not the whole story. My clones are semi-autonomous: I give them commands, and they carry it out. They have all the same knowledge I know. If I don't give them any orders, then they're just extra bodies I can use for distraction or confusion. And second, I don't really float or anything like that. It's support gear that I use for my legs."
The Pro revealed a mechanical leg from his trench coat.
"Oh," Izuku noted, his hopes diminished. "Well, I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'll just leave."
As Izuku turned to leave, Ectoplasm stopped him.
"Just because I'm not exactly what you thought I was, doesn't mean I won't help you."
"Really?" Izuku turned back. "Wait, don't you have schoolwork to grade or something."
"Don't worry, I'll have one of my other selves to work on it."
"Wow, that's…really obvious. I should have thought of that beforehand."
The Ghostly Hero chuckled at that.
"So, kid, what can I help you with?"
"Well, sir, I want to improve my flying abilities."
"Flying?" Ecotplasm questioned. "Thought your Quirk was listed as telekinesis."
"Well, you're right," Izuku answered. "It's just that I can also make myself fly with my Quirk."
Izuku knew he needed to increase his mobility for the festival. While most of the events change year to year, the third event was always a tournament-style competition. Even in that, Izuku realized the advantage flying would give him. Plus, if the other two sports involved heavy use of mobility, then Izuku needed to get flying down to a t.
"That sounds promising," Ectoplasm mused. "Have you put that idea into action?"
"Well, twice, actually," Izuku confessed. "The first, I didn't have anything to stop myself from, um, floating away. And the second was during the Quirk Apprehension test Mr. Aizawa gave us. I barely made it to the other side of the long jump pit."
"Trying to fly for the first time without a ceiling? Yeah, not the best plan, but at least you survived. Now, do you remember what you were feeling at the time?"
"When I was flying, right?"
"More or less lift off," Ectoplasm then elaborated. "Flying Quirks are more often than not, and in your case especially, mental rather than physical in nature. Sure, most of them have wings or other means of propulsion, but they all come from within the mind. Remember what you were feeling when you flew and try it again."
Izuku let out a breath and concentrated. He thought back to the beach, where he first tried to fly. He remembered how his Quirk blanketed him, allowing him to float. He remembered the joy of actually flying, to defy gravity. That familiar sensation washed over him. He didn't even have to open his eyes to know he was floating.
Now came that familiar problem, stopping his ascent.
"Remember, you are the one in control, not your Quirk!" Ectoplasm's advice broke through to Izuku. He concentrated on halting his ascension, and it happened. Now Izuku was several feet floating in the air, looking down at his teacher.
"I think I got it, Mr. Ectoplasm!" Izuku cried out.
"Not bad, kid," The Pro said. "Now try and move around."
Izuku nodded. He did this before. And so, he pushed forward. Slowly.
"Remember, you control the speed, Midoriya!" Ectoplasm called from below.
Izuku took the advice. He started to increase his pull on himself. As he started to approach the wall, Izuku made his hold on himself turn and go in the opposite direction. Now he was starting to get somewhere.
He managed to complete a full lap around the gym before coming to a stop near Ectoplasm.
"Not bad for a third-time flyer." Ectoplasm complemented. "So, you still want to this one-on-one training?"
"Yes! I mean, yes sir, I would," Izuku answered, setting down on the ground.
"Good, because there's going to be more on the schedule than just flying. For starters, working on your telekinetic blasts." The pro explained.
"How do you know about that?"
"Word of mouth from the other teachers, mostly. Even if Eraser Head doesn't tell us anything outright, we still get bits and pieces. You and I know you're good with throwing objects with your Quirk. I also know that you have the ability to unleash those telekinetic blasts, but you lack to control to do it willingly."
"This won't be easy, you know that?" Ectoplasm warned Izuku.
"I know, but if that's what it takes to succeed, I'll do it." Izuku promised.
The Ghostly Hero smirked. "Nice attitude. Let's see if it holds up at the end."
Elsewhere, a seemingly innocuous bar was simply being, blending along with the other buildings on the street. Inside, it was nearly dead quiet. The only sounds came from the bartender cleaning glasses, and one man scratching the long table. A humbling base of operations for the League of Villains.
Shigaraki clawed at the table in irritation with his left hand. His right was in a cast and sling, provided by his master's prime doctor, Garaki. Even if no one in the room knew who he was, anyone could feel the anger and hatred emanating from the young man.
Kurogiri paused in his routine cleaning.
"He's here." The Warp Quirk user said.
In an upper corner, a small television turns on. There is no video showing, only text that reads, "Audio only".
"Tomura," the voice, which seemed to have a mechanical wheeze to it, said. "How are you healing?"
"The doctor said the arm should be healed in a month or two," Shigaraki answered. "Master, I don't why you can't just use a healing Quirk on me?"
"Consider it a reminder of what happened and what to avoid next time."
Shigaraki grinds his teeth as he ran his fingers of his cast. Any time he wanted to move the arm, the pain and the sling prevent him from taking care of the itch on his neck.
"Tomura, recount of what transpired at the USJ," The voice said.
"Sir, I have already sent a report of the events," Kurogiri interjected.
"I know. I want him to tell me everything himself." The voice ordered.
Shigaraki sighed. "It started out good enough. Me, Kurogiri, the Nomu, and a bunch of Villains trapped Eraser Head, Thirteen, and those brats in the USJ. All Might wasn't there like planned, so I decided to let those weaklings have fun. I sicked a bunch of them on Eraser Head, but he wiped the floor with them with ease."
"It's a shame. The quality of Villains are no longer what they used to be anymore." The voice commentated.
"Then I sent the Nomu after Eraser Head. That Hero scum could barely move after the beatdown it gave him. When I ordered the Nomu to kill Eraser Head, he stopped it."
The voice was silent, waiting for Tomura to continue his recap.
"It was some stupid brat. Green puffy hair and freckles. Somehow stopped the Nomu with his mind or something. Part of his Quirk," Shigaraki ranted. "I made the Nomu sent that brat away, easy peasy. Then I decided to dust one of the other brats. Y'know, get some credibility. When I went to kill some frog-faced girl…"
Shigaraki grasped the air near the sling in anger.
"He did this to me."
"That child must be something," The voice mused. "To hurt poor Tomura after the modifications we did to him."
"I swear, if I find that brat again, I'll make it as long and painful as I can, before I –"
"Enough, Tomura," The voice commanded, silencing the Villain. "I understand your want for revenge but do not let it cloud your reasoning. Too many Villains burn themselves at both ends for something as petty as revenge."
Shigaraki seethed at that but remembered that his master was right with such things.
"I understand, my master."
"Continue."
"Then, he showed up. All Might. Then the Nomu and All Might fought, and it was grand. It was matching him blow for blow and could healed from any damaged."
"And then it lost!" Shigaraki slammed his hand on the table. "I don't get it! It was supposed to kill All Might! Why didn't it? Why?!"
"Unfortunately, some Heroes can be stubborn like that. All Might especially," The voice answered. "Do not let this one failure hang over you. Learn from it, improve upon it, and when the next opportunity comes, seize victory in your grasp. Then, you will be one step closer to becoming my successor."
Shigaraki's face cracked into a smile at the thought.
"Still," His master mused. "I have not heard of someone with a telekinetic Quirk that powerful. Kurogiri, is there any information on the boy?"
"Yes, my master. The media has identified the boy as Izuku Midoriya."
"Hmm…" The voice held the two in suspense.
"Is the name familiar to you, sir?" Kurogiri asked.
"Izuku Midoriya…is a nobody. Someone barely a pawn in the grand scheme of things. Yet, it seems recent events have earned him some form of investigation. I'll have him looked into."
The voice felt it was time to shift the conversation.
"Despite the loss of our Nomu, Dr. Garaki has already confirmed the near completion of several more. They will accompany you on your next attack."
"Master, UA will be having their Sports Festival soon! Let me lead an attack on it. That will crush the Heroes' spirits!" Shigaraki demanded.
"You will do no such thing."
"But Master-!"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" The threat made Shigaraki hold his tongue.
"There are several reasons to why we will not launch an attack so soon," The voice started to list off. "For one, attacking a place filled to the brim with Heroes will surely end with you captured or dead. Second, you, young Tomura, need rest. No use going in if you are not at your best."
"Third, a group of two people is not what I would call a league, now is it? Find and recruit more Villains." The voice ordered.
"I have heard rumors of a 'Hero Killer' going from city to city," Kurogiri added their first potential recruit.
"I will leave that up to you."
Kurogiri nodded at the television.
"And finally, the Sports Festival will lure the Heroes into a false sense of security. We have already attacked them on their grounds. They will be cautious. But, in wallowing of their own self-importance and grandeur, they will grow complacent. They believe that they still control the peace of this country. And, when they least expect it, that is when we will attack. The public's trust in their Heroes will break, bit by bit, until they welcome our new order with open arms."
Shigaraki started to laugh at the idea of the people, who are so enamored with their Heroes, willingly throwing their defenders away once they realized the Heroes couldn't protect them.
Even if there was no visual, anyone could tell the voice proudly smiled at his own plans.
"Soon, the world shall bow once again, in awe and terror, at the name of All For One!"
Hey, it's, uh, it's been a while. I'm sorry I couldn't upload at a more consistent rate, but this has not been my summer. Writing this chapter was difficult: not in that I didn't know what I'd wanted to write, but in how to write it. Plus, it was hard to keep motivated during that time. I did admit to not having a consistent schedule, but I do feel bad for making you all wait for so long.
Anyway, so one scene I skipped was Class 1-B's confrontation in the halls. I decide to not write it down because I didn't have anything new to add to it that I wanted to. Out of everything this chapter, I think the last scene with the League of Villains was my favorite to write for this chapter. Honestly, I hope you all find this chapter good or at least decent.
Thank you to everyone who liked, followed, and commented on this story. It helps a lot, especially with comments.
I don't know when the next part will be up. I'll either write this next one or do another chapter of another story. But, when we will return, it will be with the first game of the Sports Festival, so stay tuned.
That's all I got for now. See ya next time!